We should never let reality interfere with our dreams. Reality can’t see what we can see. – Simon Sinek
This powerful quote speaks to the heart of human potential and the often-unacknowledged power of vision. It’s a call to action, urging us to pursue our dreams with unwavering conviction, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But what does it truly mean to let reality take a backseat to our dreams, and how can we apply this principle to our own lives?
Beyond the Horizon of the Present
Reality, in its most immediate sense, is the world as it currently exists. It’s the sum of our present circumstances, limitations, and perceived impossibilities. However, dreams reside in the realm of potential, a space where the boundaries of the present are fluid and the only limits are those we impose upon ourselves. To allow reality to interfere with our dreams is to confine ourselves to the known, to accept the status quo, and to dismiss the possibility of something greater.
Sinek’s quote reminds us that our dreams are often born from a unique perspective, an insight into what could be that reality, in its myopic view, cannot grasp. It’s the artist seeing a masterpiece in a blank canvas, the entrepreneur envisioning a thriving business where others see only risk, or the individual believing in their ability to achieve the impossible despite past failures. Our dreams are fueled by a vision that transcends the limitations of the present, a vision that only we can truly see.
Cultivating Unseen Potential
So, how do we cultivate this “unseen vision” and ensure that reality doesn’t clip its wings?
- Embrace “Outcome Visioning”: As Lou Tice suggests, focus on the desired outcome, not the “how.” By committing to a goal, you heighten your awareness and identify resources and creative solutions you might otherwise miss.
- Visualize Your Future: Create a clear picture of what success looks, sounds, and feels like. This “blueprint of the final result,” as David Allen describes it, provides an internal compass, guiding your decisions and actions.
- Reprogram Your RAS: Your Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters information based on your beliefs. Use visualization, affirmations, and gratitude to reprogram your RAS, focusing on what you want to achieve.
- Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify the “realities” that hold you back. Are they truly immutable facts, or are they assumptions and fears that can be challenged and overcome?
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: Believe that your abilities and intelligence can be developed. View challenges as opportunities for growth, not as roadblocks.
The Power of Unwavering Belief
Ultimately, the power to realize our dreams lies in our unwavering belief in them. When we allow reality to dictate our path, we surrender our potential. But when we embrace our vision, even when it seems impossible, we unlock a force that can reshape reality itself.
We should never let reality interfere with our dreams. Reality can’t see what we can see.
